Two Unexplored Personalities
Human nature comes with an innate desire to express the thoughts of the mind and the feelings of the heart. What goes on inside searches deeply for a receptive point, a place where there is a release of one's self.
There are different schools of thought on this, but one thing is sure: expression is desired.
For some, expression does not happen at all, either because they have been taught to suppress it, or have taught themselves to. For some, it does not happen because of past experience, where the reception of their expression (though genuine) was not favourable. For some, expression happens freely, without a care for the receiver or the treatment that results. And for some, it happens in a selected manner, where they scrutinise first before they go ahead.
In truth, most of these patterns come from experience or personal development, person by person. But the fact remains the same: expression is sought.
The Search for Connection
Navigating life, most of us search for connections. With others, with things. Sometimes such connections form over shared interests, ideals, and values. Other times, a sense of interest in the person (in a romantic manner) is what sparks the bond.
When we meet people, we communicate. Either with a front that hides our true selves, or with all of our person, exposing the reality of our character to our audience, perceived perfections and imperfections included. But one thing is sure, and I say it repeatedly: it is the expression of self.
The Two Channels, One Source
Expression of self happens in two ways:
- In words.
- In deeds.
These two are the primary ways by which a person is understood most of the time. And honestly speaking, that is in the sight of man. But for every word or action, the genesis is the mind, which holds the source, the processing, and the trigger for the delivery of all expression.
Many argue that feelings are an influencing factor. Indeed, they are. But feelings teach the brain, not the mind. The feelings of a man do reach the mind, yet the mind is ultimately responsible for the interpretation, and for what results in further action or inaction.
The mind, though responsible for interpretation and processing, still must be cultured by the Word. Its source code for operation must be accurate for the new man in Christ, to direct the right kind of life.
The Wrong Receiver
In handling expression, it is possible that man searches for the fundamental expression of self with the wrong people. Of course we have good friends, close friends, best friends, partners and spouses. But in truth, some of them (though God-sent, and though they may want the best for you in line with God's Word) are still not the first and best option a Christian should have.
The Friend Within
One of a Christian's greatest discoveries is the light of the Holy Spirit as a friend. It changes everything fundamentally.
Many learn of the Holy Spirit as the power within, the helper within. And all of it is tied to the supernatural and the extraordinary. That is not wrong. But in understanding His person, one must first look to the Master. The Master, though supernatural in His existence and in His actions on earth, was actually a friend of the disciples and those around Him, in His own words:
"Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his Lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you."
John 15:14–15 (KJV)
He clearly refers to them as friends. It is therefore perfectly natural to use this angle to understand the Holy Spirit's involvement with us, in the same way you would view a friend. In fact, the way the Master related to the world is a reflection of the Holy Spirit's continued work and activity in our lives today. But our focus here is on friendship, as it is.
The Holy Ghost, as described by Pastor Benny Hinn, is a distinct person of the Trinity with a mind, a will, and deep emotions.
A mind, a will, and deep emotions.
Sounds familiar?
You.
You also have a mind, a will, and deep emotions.
So the Christian with the Holy Spirit within, a Spirit that he has not befriended, has two unexplored personalities. Here are the two:
1. The Christian's own personality. Most believe that to understand one's self and purpose, one ought to be introspective. Well, that works for humans, but not the new man in Christ. The only way to truly know oneself is through the light of the Word of God, and the Holy Spirit is the best and fittest teacher to bring that about. It is something you initiate, but you continue in partnership.
2. The Holy Spirit's personality. Most know Him only through the flashy things used to describe Him. But there is an experiential journey the Christian alone can have with the Holy Ghost within, not through anyone else's relationship with Him, and not through hearsay.
The Room He Was Kept Out Of
I recently read a post where the author began by talking about his wife. From what I had been reading, I thought: what a terrible husband! Right up until I realised he was talking to the Holy Spirit.
He painted a narrative of how he had stopped inviting his wife to some events, after noticing the way she behaved at a few of the ones he had originally taken her to. Then one day, his wife said to him:
"If you want me in some rooms only, then I do not want to be in any of them at all."
When he linked it to the Holy Spirit, I said: woah! How true!
Because we pick and choose which part of ourselves we expose to the Holy Spirit. Meanwhile, He desires to love us in a reckless manner, holding nothing back. And then we go around looking for that kind of love in men. Looking for that reckless, unadulterated passion from men, when the Holy Spirit has been meaning to give that to us, and interestingly, be the receiver of all of yourself: the essence of your character, your mind, and your emotions.
The Ask
I discovered this personally when I came to terms with the fact that no single human being would, in full, give me that kind of love. That is not bad. But it is time to stop looking for in men that which I should really be receiving and giving with the Holy Spirit.
This sums it up: the Koinonia of the Holy Spirit. But not just the communion or koinonia: "the sweet fellowship." What a word, used to preempt our initial expectation of this ever-dynamic relationship. The Sweet Fellowship of the Holy Spirit! And then He goes on to say: be with us now and forever more!
In other words, even now one should experience this euphoric partnership, and tomorrow, and next tomorrow, and for the rest of one's days on earth. How beautiful.
The ask, therefore, is this: give yourself wholly to the Holy Spirit before you try to give yourself to men. Disappointment, at times, is inevitable. But with the Holy Spirit, He is always ready to have you. This kind of "first things first" submission will, in turn, determine and guide our further expression with those around us.
What if this is the exact key to being Christ-like, or at least one of them?
Let's try it and see.